When it comes to vacations, some people just want to relax, for example, on a tropical beach, under the warm sun, sipping a cool cocktail. But there are others who are interested in adventure, looking for thrills, suspense, excitement and even… weirdness. If you are one of those people, these haunted vacation spots will give you the chance to experience a little bit of a different kind of horror. Especially on Halloween!
Ruthin Castle Hotel, Wales
Ruthin Castle Hotel
The Ruthin Castle Hotel in Wales has comfortable, refurbished rooms – plus a drowned pool, several medieval dungeons and whipping pits, and plenty of other creepy spots. Ruthin Castle has been the site of several famous historical assassinations, and lucky visitors might stumble upon the ghost of Lady Grey, who was sentenced to death after murdering her husband’s mistress. A stay here is sure to be fun for the whole family, provided no one is too faint-hearted.
The Queen Mary 2, California
On the haunted ship Queen Mary 2
This is the perfect vacation spot for nautical enthusiasts and ghost stories enthusiasts alike. The Queen Mary 2, docked in Long Beach, California, is said to be haunted. The ghost is a woman in a white dress who roams the decks at night. There are also ghosts of deceased guests in the ship’s swimming pool, so unless you’re a strong swimmer, you should avoid getting in. The Queen Mary 2 even hosts a “Dark Harbor” Halloween event every fall, themed around the supernatural events that have occurred on board.
Ballyseede Castle, Ireland
Outside the Ballyseede Castle Hotel
There is a ghost at Ballyseede Castle Hotel in Ireland who is as friendly as Casper. It is the ghost of Hilda, the last of the benevolent Blennerhassett family who built the castle in the 18th century. You can meet Hilda in her old bedroom, the Crosby Room, often leaving a scent of roses in her wake. Hilda enjoys looking out the window at the Ballyseede grounds and is also known to chat to guests – even making a few predictions about their fortunes.
Farnsworth Inn, Pennsylvania
The Farnsworth Inn is a Victorian-style haunted inn.
During the American Civil War, the Farnsworth Inn sheltered Confederate snipers, and a stray bullet unfortunately struck a woman in the house, Mary Virginia “Jennie” Wade. Dead soldiers are also rumored to haunt the house, with strange footsteps and music sometimes heard, and they also visit the guest bedrooms. Many guests have described white figures gliding through the rooms at night, claiming they are the spirits of young men who died in the war.
Tongariro Castle, New Zealand
Tongariro Castle
Tongariro Castle, a luxury hotel located at the foot of Mount Ruapehu in New Zealand, was once a women’s mental hospital. Hotel staff often report the spirit of a nurse named Charlotte who died there, as well as unidentified patients who committed suicide in the hospital. Curtains flutter, fires flare and flicker outside, and doors open and close by themselves are common occurrences. The isolation of the place certainly adds to the spooky atmosphere, despite the hotel’s luxurious setting.
Lizzie Borden Inn, Massachusetts
Lizzie Borden Inn
The Lizzie Borden Bed & Breakfast is located in the former home of Lizzie Borden, the infamous axe murderer who murdered her father and stepmother. Located in Fall River, Massachusetts, the house was also the scene of the brutal murders. You can choose to stay in the rooms where the victims were murdered or in Lizzie’s own room. Tours of the house are held daily, or you can rent the entire house for an even more spooky family reunion.
Castello della Castelluccia, Rome
Haunted Hotel Castello della Castelluccia
Castello della Castelluccia in Rome will offer you a wide variety of ghostly occurrences, as it seems to be haunted by more ghosts than most: there’s the ghost of Emperor Nero, an alchemist who was struck by lightning, and a group of ghost horses that gallop around the castle at night. Staying at this castle will give you a good chance of encountering at least one of its long-time residents.
Hotel Stanley, Colorado
Panoramic view of the Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, Colorado
Of course, we can't leave out the Stanley Hotel, located in the Colorado mountain town that served as the inspiration for the Overlook Hotel in Stanley Kubrick's The Shining, based on the Stephen King book of the same name. The Stanley family, who established this secluded hotel to experience the wholesome winter air of the high mountains, apparently never really left. They are rumored to haunt the hallways, just like in the creepy book and movie, inspiring nightly tours that attract horror fans from all over the world. The Stanley Hotel hosts an annual Shining Ball, which is sure to be a lot of fun in the weird and is the perfect opportunity to show off your spookiest Halloween costume.
Tulloch Castle, Scotland
Outside Tulloch Castle
Tulloch Castle in Scotland is said to be haunted by the ghost of a woman dressed in green – Elizabeth Davidson, daughter of the previous owner. If you follow Elizabeth, she seems to be a sad ghost, wandering the halls and saying “why” over and over again. Guests have reported feeling a deep sense of sadness whenever she appears.
